Click Here to Return to Milestones
Among the many scenes that transpire while traveling along life's pathway, none claim a more affectionate place in the human heart than those associated with our childhood home. So on being petitioned to narrate this following bit of history, not being a member of the journalistic constellation of the community, it was with fear and trembling that we took up the pen, lest we should not do justice to our home, that place wherein should be centered sentiments sublime.
Though we are not so well off as some of our sister towns in the way of manufacturing industries and business progression, yet we are blessed in that we have a town whose material, moral and educational condition is of the very best. We have good churches composed of earnest workers; excellent schools, conducted by competent and intelligent teachers; and as our town is pleasantly situated in a locality decidedly picturesque, it affords facilities for the erection of comfortable homes wherein we may dwell in that calm and peaceful manner characteristic of the people of Western Pennsylvania.
The land on which Freedom stands formerly owned by Capt. Wm. Vicary and Gen. Abner Lacock, two very distinguished citizens of former years. Capt. Vicary was a sea captain who came from Philadelphia and purchased the tract of land now occupied by the east side of Freedom, St. Clair and Vicary. In 1826 he built the stone house which is now occupied by Jas. Harvey, Esq.
Gen. Lacock came from near Alexandria, Va., in 1796, and settled on land which now comprises the west side of Freedom and land beyond.
The line dividing the lands of these two gentlemen starts from a point on the Ohio River, near where the old launchways of the boat yard formerly stood, and runs northeast through the property now owned by August Blatt, and that of James Manor on to the John Mengel farm and to a point on Dutchman's run.
About 1830, Stephen Phillips and Jonathan Betz were engaged in boat building at Phillipsburg, now called Monaca. As the water was too shallow at that point to satisfactorily carry on their business, they decided to find a better location, and coming to this side of the Ohio, they purchased from Gen. Lacock 100 acres of land. At a later day more land was purchased from Capt. Vicary.
The boat-building firm must have been changed about this time, as the BEAVER ARGUS of May 1832, in speaking of the founding of Freedom said: "Messrs. Phillips and Graham purchased a tract of land on the Ohio River from Gen. Lacock on Monday of last week, laid out a town on Tuesday and built fourteen houses in four succeeding days. At this place they intend establishing their ship yard."
Thus Freedom became the home of the ships' carpenters and remained so for many years, boat building being the occupation of the entire colony.
Phillips and Graham continued the business until 1847, when the workmen formed a co-operative association, which had charge of the yard until 1849. From that time until 1859 it was in the charge of Chas. Graham & Co., who dissolved partnership and the business was purchased by McCaskey & Kerr, who were members of the former firm and who continued the business until 1880.
During all these years, Freedom enjoyed the reputation of building the majority of the fine steamers used on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Did space permit, we could mention scores of them whose majestic appearance was due to Freedom's skilled Mechanics.
In 1861, when the shot fired on Fort Sumter was heard around the world, the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men soon was known through all the northern states. As the request for volunteers reached Freedom along with her neighboring town' she was ready if necessary to send her boys to the front. In proportion to her population she responded nobly, and many of these brave boys who marched cheerfully from home never returned, and of those who did many have since passed away. On Memorial Day, after we have wended our way to the pretty cemetery on the hill, and scattered beautiful flowers on their graves as a mark of remembrance and respect, we look about and are astonished to note the number of little flags placed here and there throughout the silent city, each one denoting that a comrade sleeps beneath.
Thus giving a brief account of how Freedom came to be here, and a little of its past history, we will come down to the present day, and speak of the institutions of which we are possessed, and other notes of interest.
The Presbyterian church prior to 1841 was under the care of the pastor of the Beaver church. Services were occasionally held in the village by the Rev. A.C. Patterson, A.B. Quay (father of Senator Quay) and others. In 1841 the Rev. Jos. Reed began preaching regularly. In 1843 the church was permanently organized, and a building was erected in 1844. This building was used until 1895, when a magnificent edifice was raised at a cost of $8,000. A cut of the church appears in this issue. Their membership at present is 145. The Rev. R.L. Smith, D.D. is pastor.
The Evangelical association was organized in 1844. In 1890 they built the church which they now occupy. They have a membership of 45. Rev. John Finkbener is pastor.
The Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1848. A house of worship was erected about the same time, which is still in use. Membership at present is 50. The Rev. F.C.E. Lemcke is pastor.
The M.E. church was organized in 1842, through the agency of James Beabout, assisted by Gideon Kinnear and Enoch Fowler. Meetings were first held in private houses. The first meeting house was an old school house which stood where the Evangelical church is now located. Their membership is 185, with 60 probationers. Rev. Frank Prosser is pastor.
The Trinity Lutheran church of St. Clair was organized and a building put up in 1869, at a cost of $2,000. Rev. A.C. Frank was in charge at that time. Services are now conducted in German by the Rev. E. Weschmeyer, and in English by Rev. Hemmeter.
The Lutheran church of East St. Clair was organized and a building erected in 1892. It is now in the charge of the Rev. R.M. Smith, with a membership of 35.
When the public school system was adopted, Freedom was divided into two districts, Betz Street being the dividing line. The children of the east side attended school in a frame building near the old graveyard. Those of the west side went to a frame building which stood where the Evangelical church is now located. In 1855, the Freedom Academy was built by a stock company, and used by them for a number of years, when it was sold to the school directors of the borough, and the schools were united and placed in this building, which is still used, having been recently remodeled and repaired.
The school house of St. Clair was erected in 1875, that of Vicary in 1893. Both are comfortably and nicely situated. The schools are in good condition.
The Craig Manufacturing Company was organized six years ago. Their production consists of fine cloth-covered burial caskets. They are in a thriving condition, enjoying a patronage which extended to several of our sister states. The firm is composed of J.A. Harvey, D.A. Harvey and F.L. Wilson.
The Ohio River Sheet and Tin Plate Company is a new concern, organized within the past year. The works are situated east of Freedom. Their buildings are completed, and machinery tested, so they will soon be ready to begin operations.
The Freedom Oil Works is one of the foremost concerns of its kind in the country. They have an enormous trade, with branch offices in the leading cities. Their products are the finer grades of burning and lubricating oils, wax, etc. The business is under the direct supervision of A.J. Minke.
The flouring mills of Linnenbrink & Mengel, in St. Clair, is another of our industries, which is also in a flourishing condition, running to their fullest capacity at all times.
The freight yards of the P.F.W. & C.R.R. are situated east of Freedom. Here all the western freight is made up in trains for the C.&P., E.&P., and P.Y. & A. branches. The workmen are kept hustling day and night, and a good number of our citizens are employed.
The Golden Rule Building and Loan Association has paid off its last share of stock, and soon will have filled its mission, having paid $100 on every share of its stock, and every stockholder having received his profits.
The post office was established at Freedom in 1832 by Gen. Abner Lacock. The first postmaster was Stephen Phillips. It is now in charge of J.G. Jack.
Our oldest citizen is Uncle Daniel Pritchard, who is in his 94th year. He is hale and hearty, and is often seen upon our streets.
The fire bell which hangs over the engine house is the same one which was used for many years to call the men to work in the boat yard. So long was it in use that every old citizen would instantly recognize its first tap, and even dumb animals learned its meaning. For many a time has "Old Jack" the yard mule, scampered off to the barn for his grain, regardless of load or driver as this bell's silvery notes proclaimed the hour of closing day. In the flood of '84 the bell, together with the shed on which it stood, was carried away many miles down the Ohio, and as the building rolled on the waves, the old bell spoke sadly in tones of regret at leaving its old home, and some of its old friends shed tears at the parting. It was finally captured by a West Virginia planter, and used by him for a farm bell, until, by its tone, it was discovered by some friendly stearn boatmen, who brought it back home, and presented it to Freedom for a fire bell, where it now dwells - a relic of bye-gone days.